(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Ovik6280’s Official YouTube Account)
Smiley is a heartwarming Spanish romantic comedy series that brings to life the captivating love story between two unlikely protagonists. Released on Netflix on December 7, 2022, the 8-episode series is based on the acclaimed play of the same name by Guillem Clua, starring Carlos Cuevas (who played the role of Alex) and Miki Esparbé (who played the role of Bruno) in the lead roles.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Barcelona, the plot centers on Álex, a bartender reeling from a recent romantic disappointment, and Bruno, an architect whose life takes an unexpected turn when he receives a misdirected voicemail from Álex. This serendipitous encounter sets the stage for a charming and poignant journey of love, laughter, and self-discovery.
Álex’s impulsive voicemail sets off a chain of events that brings him and Bruno together in ways they never imagined. As they navigate the complexities of modern romance and grapple with their own insecurities and desires, they find themselves drawn to each other in ways they never expected.
The series is a heartfelt adaptation of Clua’s theatrical masterpiece, expertly brought to life by the talented cast and crew. Directed by David Martín Porras and Marta Pahissa, Smiley captures the essence of Clua’s original vision while infusing it with a fresh and contemporary sensibility.
The cast of Smiley boasts a talented ensemble, with Carlos Cuevas portraying the role of Álex, and Miki Esparbé bringing Bruno to life on screen. Pepón Nieto takes on the dual characters of Javier and Keena, while Meritxell Calvo played the role Vero. Giannina Fruttero delivers a vibrant performance as Patri, complemented by Eduardo Lloveras in the role of Albert. Ruth Llopis adds depth to the cast as Núria, alongside Cedrick Mugisha as Ibra and Carles Sanjaime as Ramiro. Rounding out the ensemble, Ramon Pujol portrays the character of Ramon, contributing to the rich tapestry of personalities in the series.
With standout performances from Cuevas and Esparbé, as well as a stellar supporting cast, Smiley is a delightful and captivating exploration of love, friendship, and the power of serendipity.
As viewers immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Álex and Bruno, they are sure to be swept away by the irresistible charm and undeniable chemistry of this unforgettable romance.
Happy viewing!
Another –
“Much Ado About Nothing”!
Trite Plot –
Trite Characters –
Trite Scenarios –
Predictable Outcomes –
and
Underrated – Precisely!
So sad to hear, so true of most gay “films,” add in the pornography influence and you have them pegged.
Padre:
It isn’t the absolutism of the “Lack Of Talent”; It is the reality that Modern Day Society sees
us in a particular way and such a film(s) follow the expected norm?
Predictability, is the bane of creativeness, and the lack of creativeness
mirrors the malaise –
of our society:
You already know the score of a game before it is played out”
It sounds either wonderful or awful. The only good gay-themed movies seem to be about fighting oppression, like the one made in Kerala, India. Gay mindset is too superficial in general.
A “modern romance and grapple with their own insecurities and desires”. When I read that I figured “here we go again.” Another “oh woe is us. Sucks to be Gay. Victims we are. Irresponsible/stupid we are.” But stepping over my biases and the language barrier, I looked at the trailer. Not just another romcom with Gay “children” that we usually see from A4A. The characters are beyond that (almost 30), one older (a bit over 40). The storyline is “predicable” as most movies are so no foul there. This offering far exceeds what we usually are prompted to view in… Read more »
THIS SUCKS……….
Smiley is one of my favorite shows when I need a feel good. While nothing new as far as Rom-Com goes, I enjoy it because it funny, deals with situations in mostly straight forward fashion and has a lot of heart. If you are going to do a Rom-Com I think this mini-series did it a lot better then the movie Bros did. Honestly, I would not mind if this had a season 2 or more but know that is not in the cards for this show.
Not in the cards because while the storyline does depict reality, it does not match with the stereotypical image the media and “The Community” present of Gay men. The reality of the varieties of many Gay men is just “too normal” and “too regular.” The stereotypical one gets press, movies, plays, books … and profits.
I love this show. I was sad that there wasn’t a second season. Contrary to what some people wrote on the characters and plot, I genuinely feel that this is a good representation of people in general. Both to scared to say what they really wanted in life and end up with less than ideal situations, while still wanting that great moment that was had.